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This work addresses key gaps in our knowledge of the Garganey, providing interesting information on the relationship between man and this species in its vast and main breeding area. ... Read more

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This work describes and analyzes the individual identities, social-ecological "landscape", and group undertakings among the homosexual population of the Soviet Union during the final years of the communist regime. It includes detailed descriptions of the conditions of life and reveals substantial social orgnaization regarding personal considerations, the social environment and their legal0political status in society. ... Read more

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Boris Vinokurov, of Gostelradio in the former Soviet Union, was found insane, along with his wife and daughter, after he called prematurely for a bipartisan economy and communication system. The Ukranian mathematician Leonid Ivanovich Plyushch was arrested and diagnosed as schizophrenic with messianic and reformist delusions, after helping found the Action Group for the Defense of Human Rights. He spent nearly four years in psychiatric detention, where he survived massive doses of drugs, and lived to emigrate in 1978.

There is little doubt that the Soviet state frequently hospitalized healthy individuals, either involuntarily or voluntarily admitted by relatives and others, for political activity or religious observance. All too frequently, political activists would come down with acute cases of asymptomatic psychiatric conditions that were purported to require detainment and heavy medication. Forced hospitalizations took place on a scale corresponding to the activity level of the dissident movement. In No Asylum: State Psychiatric Repression in the former USSR, Theresa C. Smith and Thomas A. Oleszczuk offer the first detailed quantitative study of psychiatric abuses in the USSR, based on more than 700 well-substantiated individual cases.

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Covering Russia and the independent nations of the former Soviet Union, this title presents geofacts and maps about this region. ... Read more

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A concise and objective study of the growth of a country, tracing the economy of the USSR throughout the 20th-century. From War Communism, to the new economic policy of the early 1920s and to the economy under Stalin's coercion. This included the Soviet "great leap forward" of five-year- plans, collectivization and Stakhanovism. The author's account of these years of terror reveal not only his close acquaintance with the Soviet sources, but also his ability to divine the historical facts through a mist of propaganda. After a brief survey of the distorted economy of the Second World War and of Malenkov and Krushchev, with their well-intentioned but often hare-brained schemes to expand the economy, he concludes with a notably fair-minded assessment of Russian achievement to date. ... Read more

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Class Theory and History takes an ambitious and ground-breaking look at the entire history of the Soviet Union and presents a new kind of analysis of the history of the USSR: examining its birth, evolution, and death in class terms. Utilizing the class analytics they have developed over the last three decades, Resnick and Wolff formulate the most fully developed economic theory of communism now available, and use that theory to answer the question: did communism ever exist in the USSR and if so, where, why and for how long? Their initial, and controversial, conclusion: Soviet industry never established a communist class structure. This conclusion then leads to the hypothesis that the USSR and provate capitalism in the United States to discuss the future of private capitalism, state capitalism and communism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Paradigm-altering
"Class Theory and History" is an amazing study of the Soviet Union that goes well beyond the study of one society's experience. The book is about the class structure of the Soviet Union, but the way the analysis is conducted makes it clear that the questions Resnick and Wolff raise about class theory are applicable to all societies, and their particular answers in the Soviet case yield fascinating insights that have not been understood this clearly before.

Wolff and Resnick have written at length about economic theory and methodology, and this work shows their use of class theory and overdetermination. The nuance and sophistication of their analysis is remarkable; their prose touches on the ideals and tragedies of the Soviet experience, the promise and the betrayal of that promise. At the same time, they write with urgency about the successes of the Soviet Union, particularly in the one area that most economists have argued was their greatest failure: agriculture.

This book is highly recommended for all students of economic history, the Soviet Union, and class theory. ... Read more

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In this revision of their best-selling text, MacKenzie and Curran present a clear and objective account of the history of Russians and other eastern Slavs from its beginnings in ancient Rus to the demise of the Soviet Union and, most recently, the Putin presidency. Acclaimed in the field for its clarity, comprehensiveness, and accuracy, the text balances social/cultural history with political history. The authors' approach weaves the external geographic determinism of the Eurasian school and the organic, inner-oriented approach of Russian historians. ... Read more

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In terms of output, the USSR and Japan account for one-fifth of the world's economy, occupying second and third places behind the United States. Japan has the world's fastest growth of per capita income and the USSR has not lagged far behind. But a century ago they were static feudal societies. This study analyzes the policies which enabled them to transform their economies adn to catch up with the developed world.

The strategies of the two nations adopted have been very different: Japan has maintained small farms and factories, developed a labor-intensive technology, and has successfully penetrated the world export markets. The USSR, on the other hand, has created giant farms and factories adn remained fairly isolated from world trade. Since 1945 teh USSR has devoted one-eighth of her resources to military purposes, Japan practically nothing.

In Economic Growth in Japan and the USSR, Angus Maddison offers a comparative analysis of the growth experience of these two countries that greatly enlarges our knowledge of the development process. A better understanding of their past experience can be particularly illuminating and relevant for economic policy in developing countries today. This classic text was first published in 1969.

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Part of a series suitable for GCSE and Key Stage 4. The text includes primary and secondary written and pictorial sources. Each of the four core books has a foundation edition which covers the same content but provides simpler text for less able students. ... Read more

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This text covers the history of the USSR from the 1905 revolution to the end of the Khrushshev years and beyond to the present day.Particular attention is paid to the collapse of the tsarist regime, the revolutions of 1917, civil war and the New Economic Policy, and the influence of Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin on Soviet history.The questions and activities are suitable for students of varying abilities and a range of written and visual sources encourage student involvement. ... Read more

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Across the Revolutionary Divide: Russia and the USSR 1861-1945 offers a broad interpretive account of Russian history from the emancipation of the serfs to the end of World War II.

• Provides a coherent overview of Russia's development from 1861 through to 1945
• Reflects the latest scholarship by taking a thematic approach to Russian history and bridging the ‘revolutionary divide’ of 1917
• Covers political, economic, cultural, and everyday life issues during a period of major changes in Russian history
• Addresses throughout the diversity of national groups, cultures, and religions in the Russian Empire and USSR
• Shows how the radical policies adopted after 1917 both changed Russia and perpetuated an economic and political rigidity that continues to influence modern society

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The economic dimension is at the very heart of the Russian story in the twentieth century. Economic issues were the cornerstone of soviet ideology and the soviet system, and economic issues brought the whole system crashing down in 1989-91. This book is a record of what happened, and it is also an analysis of the failure of Soviet economics as a concept. B> Examines why the Soviet economic system fell apart and explores if the economy simply overreach itself through military spending. Seeks to discover if the centrally-planned character of Soviet socialism was at fault or if a potentially viable mechanism came apart in Gorbachev's clumsy hands. Examines the failure and if it means that true socialism is never economically viable.For those interested in Soviet or Economic history. ... Read more

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What happened to contemporary music in the Soviet Union after Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Prokofiev?
This book is a valuable source of information on the composers of the generations following these three great innovators. It is a document of the "hidden" period of Russian music, of what happened after the denunciation of Shostakovich and Prokofiev by the Composers' Union.
It contains profiles of the most interesting and innovative composers from Russia and the former Soviet republics, written by leading musicologists. Featured composers include Andrei Volkonsky,Philip Gershkovich, Sergei Slonimsky,Boris Tishchenko,Valentin Silvestrov,Leonid Grabovsky , Nikolai Karetnikov , Alemdar Karamanov,Roman Ledenyov , Vyacheslav Artyomov, Faraj Karayev , Alexander Knaifel , Vladislav Shoot Alexander Vustin,Victor Ekimovksy , Alexander Raskatov , Sergei Pavlenko,Vladimir Tarnopolsy. ... Read more

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Russian Experiences: Life in the Former USSR and Post-Soviet Russia gives everyone a glimpse of what it was like to grow up in the Former USSR and how life changed (and didn't change) with its post-Communist heir.

FROM THE AUTHORS:Dear Readers,
This book tells you, the civilized citizens of civilized countries, about real life in the Communist country, recently called the USSR, now known as the Russian Federation, its post-Communist "heir" and "legal successor."

Though you may be aware of these countries, you might like to know more about what it's like to actually live in them.

If so, then this book is for you.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

For a wide range of readers.
"An eye-opening revelation of the true Russia, this excellent book goes behind the national facade to explore the common worker and the struggling family. No political grandstanding in this book, just the riveting story of one man's personal quest for freedom.

With the help of co-writer Marie Claire, a man known as "the Raven" -- who maintains his anonymity as Clare tells his story -- describes growing up in the pain and uncertainty following World War II, in the difficult and tense years of the Cold War, and during the breakdown of the Soviet Union. Always there is the Russian culture and the indomitable spi rit of its people. This is a well-written personal saga of one man's attempt to rise above the restrictive and impoverished conditions surrounding him to achieve a life of dignity.

Written in a concise, smoothly descriptive style that utilizes rich yet simple language, Russian Experiences offers something for a wide range of readers."

Reviewed by Denise.

Revealing
Right from the start, I liked this book written by The Raven and Marie Claire. If you were not born yet in 1939 when the world was in an upheaval, reading this book provides a glimpse of what Communism is about. You quickly understand the reason for the Chinese Communist revolution in China in 1945; and why the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The first page of this book gives you instant answers.

They wrote that the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) was a country built by Communists since 1917, and whose aim was to establish a worldwide Communist regime. "(Karl) Marx," they also wrote, "believed, without questioning the results, that a Communist revolution should be worldwide." Obviously, at this writing, that has failed with the dissolution of the USSR into the new Russian Federation.

So if you like a bit of military history and how governments function, this is a brief but most interesting internal look at Communism inside the former Soviet Union and its different phases of life. The author, The Raven, born in Baku City, in Azerbaijan in what once was the USSR, writes this short but very informative book that gives you a look at what happened after the Communists came into power in 1917. He tells of the pitfalls and why the USSR failed in its quest to establish Communism in Finland when the Russians went to war against the Finns in 1939-40. He also explains how a lack of communication was so costly to the Red Army when it was losing so badly to the Germans in the early days of World War II and the enemy was knocking on Moscow's doors. As a ten-year-old, I can remember the war between Russia and Finland in our newspaper headlines, and especially World War II when the Germans were trying to take over Russia and the fighting around Stalingrad in the bitter Russian winter.

The Raven also writes about his health problems in his youth created by a doctor, who treated him incorrectly, which led to a partial loss of hearing and damage to his nervous system. Of equal importance is some of the unfair treatment of The Raven in later years by one particular dean in his quest for an education. Specifically, The Raven tells how a single unanswered question evoked a negative response from the head of the linguistics department concerning answers to all other questions on the exam. The Dean suddenly decided that The Raven's previous answers were wrong, and offered new questions for The Raven to answer. Fortunately, The Raven managed to transfer into computer studies and received much better treatment despite living in inadequate housing and crowded situations.

It's a very revealing book and I would highly recommend it, especially to students and historical buffs who are interested in the old Soviet Union and the new Russian Federation. A four-star effort for certain.

A True Russian Experience
Told through the voice of one who lived and experienced Russian life, 'Russian Experiences' is a unique opportunity to discover what it was really like to live in Russia and its environs during the great changes that occured in the late 1980's and early 1990'2. Author Marie Claire and 'The Raven', tell their story with compassion, though without sugar-coating. This book is a blunt, factual and personal account of the conditions under which one man was forced to endure and overcome.

For a personal, non textbook view of Russian conditions and attitudes, this is a book that comes highly recommended.

Great reading!
Authors "The Raven" and Marie Claire collaborate in RUSSIAN EXPERIENCES: LIFE IN THE FORMER USSR AND POST-SOVIET RUSSIA to provide an insider's view of life in Russia. The first chapter provides a brief explanation of communism and the pitfalls of such a governmental system. The second section reveals the first hand struggles of one man living under communism and in post-Communist Russia.

Readers need to realize that the personal sections of RUSSIAN EXPERIENCES are penned by an English as a second language author, with the idiosyncrasies and word choices that accompany such a writing style. Only a hundred pages, length seems to have dictated the depth that narrative reaches and readers who seek a truly personal narrative will be left wanting.

Nevertheless, RUSSIAN EXPERIENCES provides a simple yet concise explanation of communism for younger generations who do not remember the Cold War and associated propaganda. It also gives readers a personal feel for living in Russia during the communist regime. RUSSIAN EXPERIENCES would be perfect required reading for high school government classes. Recommended.

Reviewed by Cindy Penn. Sent in by Marie Claire. ... Read more

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Nowhere else was World War II as bloody and destructive as it was in Eastern Europe, and of all nations it was the Soviet Union that paid the highest price for victory. The scale of death and destruction is hard to comprehend even today. Its consequences were to shape Soviet politics, and the shape of the postwar world, right through to our own time. How Soviet society responded to the threat, and survived the reality, of this most terrible of wars is the subject of this powerful and impressive survey. ... Read more

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This series is laid out in chronological order, with end of chapter exam style questions, giving students an opportunity to test their knowledge and understanding. A rich variety of documentary and source material is integrated within to increase motivation. Illustrated throughout the striking layout will hold the interest of your class. ... Read more